there was a time when i thought the 708 was going to die out ,for a time i thought it had.
what about the AR10 in 708 ? as far as i know there was/is one but its not very popular. did it not work for some reason ?

I heard or read it suggested many times that the minimum ME for deer is 1200and the minimum for Elk is 1500.
I can't say that I buy into all that but rest assured if I was going Elk hunting or planing on doing some long range shooting on Deer and Elk I would be packing a 280 over a 7-08.

quote "I just re-barreled my Savage 7-08 to handle the 162 AMax...
If your twist is fast enough, it has an amazing BC of .625. I've read that some use it for hunting, but Hornady doesn't recommend it for that application. "

Use the 162 SSts, they have the same BC as the Amax and are designed for hunting. I bought some for my 7mag, but it groups better with the 154 SSTs. Decided to use the 154s in the 7mm08 to reduce inventory. I may try the 162s since I have some to use anyway and see what I can get.

Back when Rem first came out with matte finish varmint rifle with H&S stocks back in the 80's I purchased one in 70-08 and 308. I'd plan to use both rifles shooting factory class match.

Only factory ammo I could buy for 7-08 was Rem with 140gr CL bullet which I chronograph @ 2844fps rifle had 24" long barrel. I worked up load using 168gr Sierra with 40gr/IMR-4064 @ 2563fps and I was looking at that load in Hodgdon 2012 manual max is now 39.8gr/IMR-4064 @2597fps. I'd also worked up load using Rem 140gr CL bullet 48gr/760 @ 2841fps and see that load is couple grains over max now @ 2791fps.

Only thing I "kill" is steel plates, so energy at 600-1000 is irrelevant to me.
No question the long action .280 can burn more powder behind the bullet and be a better choice for longer range hunting if the energy is needed.

For some reason these days, short actions are preferred. Can't quite figure it out, but the market seems to prefer wildcat short magnums despite the decreased barrel life, over a long action.

For some reason these days, short actions are preferred. Can't quite figure it out, but the market seems to prefer wildcat short magnums despite the decreased barrel life, over a long action.

I would guess its because a good many rifle owners don't even know there is such a thing as barrel life and, those who do, very often realize that even rifles chambered in "barrel burning" cartridges will typically outlast several generations of their kin.

Plus, many times when a barrel is "shot out", we're talking about bench rest ideals. Some people buy "shot out" barrels and are more than happy with them, not needing 1/4 MOA accuracy.

I've personally never worn out a barrel, doubt I ever will, and I totally disregard "barrel life" as an issue.

If you depend on factory loaded ammo, the 7-08 is a popular, widely distributed cartridge. Indeed, you will often see it in the "sale flyers" these days along with the .243, .308, 30-06, .270 Win. and 30-30.

In the early 60's I had a 270, I loved it but with one execption, factory ammo only came in two bullet flavors. A gunsmith friend of the family said he could boar it out to hold a 7mm bullet and give me all kinds of options to reload.
15 years ago I bought another 280 as the barrel got bent on the first one when a horse rolled on it. I have been shooting a 280 for most of my life and prefer it over anything.
JMHO

Fourteen years ago it was time to set my son up for deer hunting,I chose the 7mm-08 Rem.
My decision and reasons for the 7mm-08 Rem for a nine year old
1) Less recoil,I also handload so the first practice batches and first year of hunting ammo were reduced loads which helped a lot for a young shooter.
2) The short action rifles are a bit smaller for younger and smaller hunters
3) I'm also a 7mm(.284) fan when it comes to deer/elk hunting cartridges.

I think this is why it's more popular. Dad's are choosing it for their kids and/or wives as well. After having success for a number of years when young, they are less likely to fall into I need more trap when older. We all carry an affinity for they cartridge we used when younger if we were successful.

I still carry a .243 for deer and lopes. I choose a 708 for my son because elk was in the mix. .280 vs 708 is like having a monster truck to go to the store to pick up milk when a regular non lifted truck will get you there more comfortably.

You can show up to the same place and get the job done with either one.Then it becomes shades of grey,and preferences.You can go elk hunting with either,and you have to place your shot with both.

Study your load manuals.My Nosler compares 7-08,280,and 7mm mag,all with 26 in bbls.In a way,that is useful for comparison,but then,who carries a 26 in bbl 7-08?And what happens to a 7 mag if you shorten the bbl to 22 in?

I think for mostly deer at reasonable hunting ranges,the 7-08 is a great choice,particularly with the 139 to 150 gr loads(and,the non-lead bullers,a touch lighter).IMO,as you start stuffing the 160 gr + bullets to fit in a 2.800 mag box,you get to diminishing returns with the 7-08.Still,with a 22 in bbl you would likely get 2600 to 2650 easily.Bullets are designed to expand and perform within velocity ranges,often above 2000 or so.The 7-08 will give the 2000 fps at 300 yds,no problem with a 160 gr bullet.

A typical .280 might have a 24 in bbl and can longer seat 160 to 175 gr bullets.Velocities will be up near 150 fps faster,which translates to nearly 100 yds farther range to still deliver the 2000 fps .

What is interesting is how near to 7mm Rem Mag the .280 comes,generally within 70 or 80 fps.

Now,in the Nosler book,there will seem to be one powder that exceeds the rest,like Re-19 in the 7-08.QWhile I do not discount Re-19 in the 7-08,lets not forget that 26 in bbl.I looked at the cluster of second fastest powders.I set aside the H-870 load in the 7mmRem,too.

Study the numbers,they tell you some.,But,then look at the whole package,and what you are trying to do.If I'm carrying a 7 1/2 lb rifle with a 24 in bbl and I likely will hunt elk,I'd go .280,and shoot 160 gr + bullets.

I could still do all that with a 7-08,just a little less velocity.But if I want a 6 lb,22 in bbl handy little woods gun,the 7-08 is obvious.

Myself,I would lean to the 280 over the 7 Rem Mag more likely,but,once again,its pure preference and shades of grey.

I think it's more the .280 is competing against the .270 and Jack O'Connor. There's really very little functional difference between .270 and .280, especially in factory loading. And the 7mm-08 is competing against .243 and gives you a lot of options that the admittedly wonderful .243 doesn't. I look at 7mm-08 as a .243 on steroids. And that's why its so popular.

I think it's more the .280 is competing against the .270 and Jack O'Connor. There's really very little functional difference between .270 and .280, especially in factory loading. And the 7mm-08 is competing against .243 and gives you a lot of options that the admittedly wonderful .243 doesn't. I look at 7mm-08 as a .243 on steroids. And that's why its so popular.

Good call. I took a picture of a .243 round next to a 7mm-08 and it's a neat comparison. That 1mm of width makes the 7mm-08 look so much tougher than the .243 That said, I have them both and I am really learning to love the 7mm-08Rem. So much so, in fact, that I am questioning whether or not I need my 7mm Rem. Mag any more. It's soooo much more expensive to shoot and in practical application (deer/antelope hunting) not too much lost with the 7mm-08.

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